The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1887-02-15
The Basis Etiquette Stands Upon
Is Common Sense.


The would.be unconventional man
or woman sneers at etiquette, writes
Christine Terhune Herrick. But,
n truth, most etiquette sprang from
common sense, and stands on it as
on sure basis. A little thought will
easily convince the unprecedented that
many of the minor usages, the small
courtesies that at the first glance APP.
pear useless and absurd to the unin-
itiated, have their origin, not in O
desire to multiply forms, but in
spirit OF kindly regard for the COM
tort OF others and q respect for the
fitness OF things.
In no department OF manners and
social usage is common sense more
clearly indicated than in that bearing
upon the Difference manifested by
men to women. Possibly it would be
better to mend the phrase to the defer
ence that should be manifested by
men to women. The influx of for
eign population show its inhu-
ence in nothing more strongly
than III the growing number OF men
who allow women to stand in horse
cars, in the falsely so called "ladies'
cabin" OF ferry boats and in other
public conveyances. The spectacle
Of u "ladies cabin" thronged with
weary women, maintaining an uncer-
tain footing when the boat lurches.
while the stronger sex are comfort
ably ensconced in The seats, would
move an American heart to humilia-
ton, could not one console ones self
with the reflection that the greater
part OF the Doors were probably OF
transatlantic nationality.
The spirit that moves n man to
step aside that woman may enter
the door before him; to refuse luxur-
lous chair while ladies occupy less
easy ones; to resign his seat in boat
or car with lifted hat to woman,
young or old; to raise his hat again
as he passes her fare to the, box
or answers her question; to
bare his head at an Introduction and
10 perform the numberless graceful
little attentions that become second
nature to the true gentleman, are all
marks of that Difference OF the strong
to the weak, which is the more beauti-
ful because it is yielded willingly to
those who have not the power to com.
pei it. In passing,it may be remarked
that the tyro in such courtesies might
feel more enc lraged to persist in the
good course he has begun ii his efforts
met with more invarable response
from their objects. The woman VINO
accepts man 8 seat with no mark OF
acknowledgment, or takes ADVANTAGE
of being u woman to push herself ahead
OF men who have served their turns in
standing in line at the ticket office or
entrance door, wastes her o Dportunity
to teach lesson ingood manners, and
hardens the heart OF the dispossessed
man against the next friendless or
tired woman he may encounter.
In the etiquette OF the table com
mon sense may be clearly perceived.
The unwritten law that forbids q
guest to take two plates of soup
guards against the surf eli that would
destroy the EN- joment OF the remain
ing courses. The injunction that pro-
hibits rappinG the knife with the fork
in sailing food is on the same grounds
that subdues the loud rafting OF china
and tempers the necessary noise OF
party oil diners. The rule against
touching fish with knife avoids the
unpleasant flavor impaired to fish by
the contact with steel, while even
the apparently arbitrary placing OF
plates. forks, spoons, ETC., is regulated
by regard for the convenience OF
the person who is to handle them.
So in all social and family life the
same potent influence may be dis
cerned. The etiquette of entertain
ments that demands an early reply
to invitations, that renders n dinner
engagement only less binding chan u
marriage contract, that enforces the
custom of giving the first salutation to
hostess on entering drawing room
have all the effect OF simplifying the
business of hospitality and rendering
host and visitor alike more at ease